Medical workers aid injured people at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon following an explosion in Boston, Monday, April 15, 2013. Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the Boston Marathon finish line on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry off the injured while the stragglers were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

DOVER — Local residents were among those caught in the horror that unfolded in downtown Boston today during the annual marathon, including Dover race announcer Andy Schachat.

Reached by phone early Monday evening, Schachat said he was about 200 yards away from the finish line when two explosions wounded dozens of people, including spectators.

“I saw the first explosion, which was a very loud noise, and a big puff of white smoke,” Schachat said. “My initial reaction was it must be some sort of electric transformer blowing because of all the electrical equipment that's used at the finish line. Seconds later, a second bomb, a second explosion occurred further up in front of the finish line, and it was the same type of white smoke and loud noise, and we all realized that it was not a transformer. People started running everywhere away from the finish line. The police and race personnel rushed to get to the injured and also to keep other people away as much as possible."

Schachat, who has reported on as many as 1,000 road races in his career, said he was left in a state of shock and disbelief when the atmosphere at Boston's premier race event was shattered. In the moments that followed, Shachat said he watched as people were taken in wheelchairs toward the race's medical tent, some covered in blood. Schachat left his location at Boylston Street and Dartmouth Street, about two blocks from the blast, and moved toward the Copley Plaza Hotel, where journalists gathered in the afternoon.

"The Boston Marathon is supposed to be the most fun day of the year for the New England running community, it turned into one of the worst days of our lives."

Among the New Hampshire runners who finished the race before the explosion was Jeffrey Albertelli, a 44-year-old from of Exeter. Family members said Albertelli is uninjured, and is en route back to New Hampshire this evening.

Another runner who finished before the explosions was Nottingham resident Brandon Newbould, who was the top finisher from New Hampshire. Schachat said Newbould had been lying down and resting when the bombs went off.

“He was obviously visibly shaken and quite upset at what had happened,” Schachat said.

Ben Polichronopoulos, of South Berwick, Maine, is safe in his apartment now after being just blocks away from the scene of the event.

At least two people were killed in the blast, and more than 50 others are injured, according to multiple published reports.

Polichronopoulos, 22, who is studying at Northeastern University now, had just left a Red Sox game at Fenway Park when the explosions occurred. He was en route to Boston Beer Works on Brookline Avenue when patrons jumped up to watch CNN on the big screen televisions at the establishment.

“Very weird atmosphere here,” Polichronopoulos said when he was reached inside the bar.

He said the restaurant was very quiet and that many people had left or were on their phones making sure people who were at the race were OK.

“A lot of emotion going on,” he said. “I personally don't know how to feel. Lots of people are sad and very upset at the same time.”

Just after 4:30 p.m., Polichronopoulos said Boston Beer Works was telling people to go home.

“We feel safe, but suspicious I'd say,” he said.

At 5:20 p.m., Polichronopoulos reported he was safe in his apartment. He said the streets are very quiet and there are barely any cars on the roads.

Brian Betournay, Dover, was having lunch with family in Needham at the time.

"I'm just sad and confused about it, but I'm also grateful, from what I can tell my friends and family are OK,” he said.